Manchester United transfer target Lucas Moura given £40m price tag

Sao Paulo have set a £40million asking price for Manchester United and Chelsea transfer target Lucas Moura, after Real Madrid entered the race to sign the Brazil midfielder.

The 19-year-old is one of the hottest properties in South American football and has also been watched by scouts from Inter Milan, Paris Saint-Germain and Barcelona in recent months.

Lucas Moura is a target for Europe’s biggest clubs (AFP/Getty Images)

Sao Paulo are determined to take advantage of the situation to maximise their return and, although they will not enforce the £65million buyout clause in Lucas’s contract, they have made it clear they expect to receive a huge fee.

According to reports in Spain, Real Madrid sounded out the Brazilian club about a possible deal and were shocked to discover they valued the teenager at a minimum of £40million.

There is no reason for Sao Paulo to lower that price, as Lucas is under contract until 2015 and other clubs have expressed a firm interest.

The youngster’s agent, Wagner Ribeiro, recently told Globo Esporte: ‘Inter, Chelsea and Manchester United have already been in contact with me about him.’

Chelsea have the funds available to match the asking price, but it is likely to deter United, as it would require them to smash their transfer record.